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Of particular importance this year is the future of wireless multi-room audio and managing the transition. Tommy Kinstle, Home Electronics Buyer from Crutchfield commented, “As a dealer and a ProSource Audio Committee member, I found the opportunity to meet with key strategic partners to discuss product planning in emerging categories such as headphones, Bluetooth speakers and multi-room audio extremely valuable. The Committee provides a vehicle for sharing consumer and group feedback on issues facing us as retailers and custom integrators in a collaborative and productive format with manufacturers.”

Manufacturers that the Audio Committee met with included D&M Group, Yamaha, Flexson, Cambridge Audio, Klipsch, Harman and Sennheiser. Kevin Zarow, VP and GM of D&M Group stated, “Our relationship with ProSource is extremely important and it continues to grow and evolve. Due to the diversity of the Audio Committee and the group’s dealer base, we get meaningful feedback in terms of market trends, product ideas and promotional opportunities for retail and custom installation products and services. We find the discussions are open, transparent and consistently productive. The Audio Committee and 2015 meeting format in Berlin fostered the creative process for envisioning the future of audio and we plan to participate in these sessions going forward.”

ProSource attendees included David Workman, President and CEO and Andy Orozco, Director of Business Development. The members of the Audio Committee include Angus Bryan of BrandsMart USA, Joe Feregrino of Nebraska Furniture Mart, David Glassman of IQ Home Entertainment, Chad McKinney of Huppin’s/OneCall, Stephanie Keough of World Wide Stereo, Tommy Kinstle of Crutchfield, Steve Weiner of Listen Up and Leon Temiz of Electronics Expo.

ProSource is a cooperative, member-owned, not-for-profit buying group that includes members of the former Home Entertainment Source (HES) and PRO Group. With retail sales of more than $4.5 billion, ProSource is the largest specialty and consumer-electronics merchandising group in the United States, which allows it to negotiate stronger programs with manufacturers, helps independent retailers stay relevant to consumers, and keeps the specialty A/V channel competitive. ProSource currently represents more than 500 retailers and custom integrators. For additional information go to: www.prosourceinfo.com.